Vilified by the Republicans who want his job, President Barack Obama will stand before the nation tomorrow determined to frame the election-year debate on his terms, using his State of the Union policy address to outline a lasting economic recovery that will “work for everyone, not just a wealthy few”.

The nationally televised speech offers the most powerful chance for Obama to make a case for a second term. The speech carries enormous political stakes for the Democratic incumbent who presides over a country divided about his performance and pessimistic about the nation’s direction. He will try to offer a stark contrast to his opponents by offering a vision of fairness and opportunity for everyone.

In a preview Saturday, Obama said in a video to supporters that the speech will be an economic blueprint built around manufacturing, energy, education and American values.

He is expected to announce ideas to make college more affordable and to address the housing crisis still hampering the economy three years into his term, people familiar with the speech said. Obama will also propose fresh ideas to ensure that the wealthy pay more in taxes, reiterating what he considers a matter of basic fairness, the officials said.

His policy proposals will be less important than what Obama hopes they all add up to: a narrative of renewed American security with him at the center, leading the fight.

Obama didn’t mention national security or foreign policy in his preview, and he is not expected to break ground on either one in his speech.

He will focus on the economy and is expected to promote unfinished parts of his jobs plan, including the extension of a payroll tax cut that is soon to expire.

Whatever Obama proposes is likely to face long odds in a deeply divided Congress.

The majority of people disapprove of Obama’s handling of the economy, and he is showing real vulnerability among the independent voters who could swing the election. Yet he will step into the moment just as the economy is showing life. The unemployment rate is still at a troubling 8.5%, but at its lowest rate in nearly three years. Consumer confidence is up.

By giving a sneak peek to millions of supporters on his email list, Obama played to his Democratic base and sought to generate an even larger audience for tomorrow’s address. He is unlikely to getter a bigger stage all year.

More people watched last year’s State of the Union than tuned in to see Obama accept the Democratic presidential nomination in Denver in 2008.

The foundation of Obama’s speech is the one he gave in Kansas last month, when he declared that the middle class faced a make-or-break moment and he railed against the “you’re on your own” economics of the Republican Party. His theme then was about a government that ensures people get a fair shot to succeed.

The State of the Union speech will provide the details to back that up.

But even so, the speech will still be a framework — part governing, part inspiration.

The details will be rolled out in full over the next several weeks, as part of Obama’s next budget proposal; and during his travels, which will allow him more media coverage.

On national security, Obama will ask the nation to reflect with him on a momentous year of change, including the end of the war in Iraq, the killing of al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and the Arab Spring protests, with people clamouring for freedom. He is expected to note the troubles posed by Iran and Syria without offering new positions about them.

Despite low expectations for legislation this year, Obama will offer short-term ideas that would require action from Congress. For now, the main looming to-do item is an extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, both due to expire by March.